Pointless

I love this show! For Americans, I'd describe it as a blend of Jeopardy (you do need to know your stuff) and an anti-Family Feud (as you are trying to find the answer the studio audience previously knew least, not most). Contestants are rewarded most if their knowledge is deep on some subject, but one must also have broad knowledge because any one question could trip them up and eliminate them from play that day.

The presenters are perfect (I'd already loved Osman from QI, but Armstrong was new to me.) I laugh at myself for my total lack of knowledge of snooker and rugby (really not things here in the US, though I did play snooker one weekend in Canada), and I enjoy the heck out of knowing all the answers to the word and literature questions and most of the plant ones. I've been surprised at how much Brits know about American politics and how little about literature. I'm pleased at how different our favorite desserts and childhood games are. We are cousins, but we are not identical. All of that is wonderful, for it increases my knowledge of our similarities and differences, and also makes me want to bone up on my knowledge of UK politics! Turn about is, after all, fair play. I wish my streaming subscription carried more seasons, back to the beginning, but I'll hunt more down somehow on the interwebz. I'm addicted.

Normally I'm not a fan of this kind of programme but for some reason I really enjoy 'Pointless'. I suspect this is largely down to presenters Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman; they frequently have a laugh at contestants' answers but it never seems to be in a mean spirited way. It also helps that most of the contestants don't take thing too seriously; it isn't unknown for them to laugh as their wrong answers means they won't be going home with the cash prize.

The format is simple; the game starts with four teams of two answering questions on various subjects and after each round one pair is eliminated. For each question the lowest score wins… A hundred people were given a hundred seconds to give as many correct as possible… the score gained matches the number of people who gave that answer and a wrong answer scores 100 points.

The rounds are equally simple; using today's episode as an example:

Round one: One person in each pair had to name a Country that had won Miss World, the other had to name an England goalkeeper.

Round two: A list of six US TV shows was shown and one member of each team said which city one of them was set in, the list was then changed and the second team member named the city.

Round three (The head to head round): The first team to get the best score for two varied questions gets to the final.

The Final: The surviving team selects the topic, out of three possibilities, to be questioned on… today it was 'Sporting Greats' and they had to identify boxers who fought Mohammad Ali. In this round they give three answers and one of them must be 'Pointless' if they are to win the prize money… if they lose they still get the 'prestigious Pointless Trophy'.

I don't always watch the programme but if I start watching or walk in to the room when it is on I'll almost always watch to the end. I like how the questions with have multiple answers so not only do you have to get it right you must try to pick one that you think few other people will know… there is also enough time for viewers to think of the answers so even if you aren't lightning fast you have a chance to compete at home!

Game shows range from daft to extremely good. I'd say pointless was both, on the surface it seems a daft idea, but when you've watched it a few shows, it really works, and the concept feels like a rare piece of TV inspiration, absolutely brilliant original idea for a show, and there is tons of quiz mileage in it, it could run and run.

Then you have the choice of presenters. Have to say at first this put me off watching it for ages. I briefly looked in, didn't really know what it was or understand what they were doing, looked at the question setter guy sitting down and thought 'Oh no, this is far too dry for me'. Armstrong didn't do a lot for me at the time either. Well, opinions can change because after finally getting into it, I think they are fantastic together, dry and formal yes but very witty and often really funny together. Osman is Stephen Fry like in his knowledge and wit, but drier, probably sharper and nowhere near as smug about it. I think he's a great find and would like to see him on some more panel shows. Armstrong is just a natural frontman, very clear and concise, warm and friendly. What's surprised me is how funny he can be too, as I was never really convinced by his more overt comedy routines.

This show has stiff competition from some great gameshows like Millionaire, Weakest Link and Eggheads but I think this is the best of the lot, inventive, very entertaining, humorous and stupidly addictive. It's a cracker. Oh and the celebrity specials they do are a scream, with these two upright, slightly nerdy looking, well spoken chaps quietly sitting or standing there in ridiculous outfits. Absolute belter of a show, really! Do give it a go, if you've avoided it like I did, it's well worth getting into.

Alexander is a tremendous host, he's funny, but he's smart and down to Earth, I really like him, but I really do miss Richard Osman, it's just not quite the same anymore.

The format still works, and it's always great to see people scoop the prize. Somehow it needs a different kind of knowledge, sometimes the questions leave you absolutely stumped.

As of 2025, there's still no permanent replacement for Richard Osman, a shame, some have worked well, some are just out of place.

I've also noticed now that episodes have someone signing, BBC please could you give us an option to switch it on or off? I just can't watch it, I understand about inclusivity, but give us the choice, it's made me switch off.

7/10.

I am a bit of a saddo, as I really like this show when I catch it. Alexander Armstrong is an excellent front man for it and I really like him as a performer and was surprised to see him doing this. He has a special quality which comes across to the viewer (well this viewer anyway). The premise is that people try to find a pointless answer to the question posed thereby scoring as low as possible. Gentle humour is employed throughout and I like the fact that no-one is humiliated or made fools of in any way. I feel that the programme would benefit from a little faster pace but that is a minor quibble. It is almost educational sometimes too as one finds out facts one did not know before. Long may it last. Well I am adding to my review 16 months on and I am still addicted to it. If anything more so. It has really hit it's stride and Richard and Alexander's banter is witty, original and, unusually for a daytime quiz, funny. This one should run and run.